BTB 11-13

On Friday, November 7, the Supreme Court decided to hear the argument of a new challenger to Obama’s healthcare law, according to the USA Today. Currently, there are four lawsuits against Obamacare aimed at the way in which the law organizes subsidies.

Under the current healthcare law, states are responsible for determining how subsidies to health care programs are allocated. According to USA Today, opponents suggest that over two-thirds of the subsidies are applied by the federal government, not the states. If the lawsuits are upheld, the whole legislation could go up in flames. Insurance premiums would rise and over 5 million Americans would be affected.

Some proponents of the law are optimistic, however. According to USA Today, Josh Earnest, White House press secretary, showed high hopes for the case in a press release, saying “We continue to have high confidence in the legal argument as a legal matter, but also from a common sense perspective.”

Ukraine Believes Russian Tanks, Artillery are in Ukrainian Territory

Following months of accusations and rising tensions, Ukraine believes that Russia is sending armored vehicles and personnel into its territory.

According to CNN, on Friday, just after parliamentary elections, Ukrainian Defense Spokesman Andriy Lysenko accused Russia of sending a heavily armored column toward the contested Luhansk region. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) believes the accusations, and one military official was quoted saying “If this crossing into Ukraine is confirmed, it would be further evidence of Russia’s aggression and direct involvement in destabilizing Ukraine,” according to BBC News.

The news comes after recent parliamentary elections, where CNN states that there was a high separatist turnout. According to CNN, the elections were supported by Russian authorities and condemned by Ukraine and its Western allies.

Over recent months, many allegations have been made towards Russia and its aggressive behavior toward its neighboring country. Russia has been accused of sending thousands of armed forces into Ukraine and supporting the rebel forces already battling against the interim Kiev government, further escalating tensions and conflict.

In defense against the accusation, according to CNN, the state-owned TASS News Agency in Russia rejected the allegation saying that Ukraine was “fueling tensions” between the two nations.

Ukrainian military forces are battling pro-Russian separatists in a fight that has no end in the foreseeable future.

Same-Sex Marriage Ban Upheld in Key States

Four states, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee, had their marriage bans upheld by an appeals court where, according to BBC News, Judge Sutton wrote that the “definitions of marriage should not be changed by the courts.” Sutton also argued that allowing same-sex marriage would allow for the support of polygamy.

Multiple states across the nation have struck down their marriage bans, citing that that the bans violated every citizen’s right of “equal protection under the law.” This brings the current number of states that have legalized same-sex marriage to 32, including Washington, D.C.

Because the ban went through an appeals court, it is highly likely that the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case next.